Category Archives: Cuba

What does that mean? Resilient means “able to withstand or quickly recover from a difficult situations”. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “If you fall, get back on the horse.” I’m not sure that’s always the best idea. Sometimes, it’s better to find another horse or better yet, stay off the horse altogether. When I say resilient, I mean get up, dust yourself off, and find a better way to do it.

Starting Over

I have recently lost my job of 6 years. I loved my work. I loved the people I worked with. But I knew that I would not have stayed, even if my job had not been eliminated. They were making a lot of changes. And I while I often enjoy change and a challenge, I knew that these changes were not for me. Sure, I am sad and scared of what the future holds. But I also know that I have gotten up and dusted myself off before. At that time, I got back on the horse. This time, I’m going to find a better way to get there.

Inspiration

Several years ago, I traveled to Cuba on an education tour. I recently started looking at some of my photos. Some of these you have seen before. But some are new. I enjoyed the country. I keep reminding myself of the wonderful, optimistic, resilient people. If these people who face such hardship and difficulty can be so compassionate and optimistic, why can’t I?

People walk down the street in Havana, Cuba

Cuba is known for the vintage cars.

People are getting their day started in Havana

Yellow and green dominate the buildings on this side street in Havana

Cuban Market with fresh produce

Downtown Havana Evening Sales

Havana Bay is home to many historic sites, this guy might be one of them

Plaza de San Francisco in Havana, Cuba, is home to the Basilica and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis

Basilica and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis in Havana, Cuba

Those classic cars you see? Many of those are pieced together by handmade parts. Parts the drivers made themselves because they had little access to outside supplies.

I wanted to share five of my favorite travel photos on this hot July Friday. Looking back, some of them are easy to see why I like them so much.

Buskin’ on the Danube

We had spent the day in Budapest walking, walking, walking and needed a break and a drink. We found a spot on the edge of the Danube. As we sipped our drinks, the busker started playing. The setting sun touches the edge of his shoulder and the Hungarian flag in front of him, giving the whole scene a soft glow. See more travel photos from Hungary here.

Buskin’ on the Danube. A busker plays the saxophone at sunset in Budapest, Hungary

Enter for Enlightenment

Another image from Budapest with that soft glow that I love so much. This was taken in Matthias Church, a gothic cathedral complete with restored frescos and painted walls. But this simple unadorned stairwell glows from the soft window light, silhouetting the outline of the door. It’s inviting and peaceful. See more travel photos from Hungary here.

Enter for Enlightenment

Kraków Nights

The Main Square in Kraków, Poland just after sunset. The sky is that early evening blue that contrasts beautifully with warm tones of the city lights. People are sitting down for dinner or cocktails as bicyclists whiz past, creating a bit of a blur. Find more travel photos of Poland here.

The Main Square in Kraków, Poland just after sunset.

Aire Acondicionado

Taken in Havana, Cuba, this photo is a little busy. But I love that about it. I love the old worn signs hanging above the many people milling about in the streets. And there’s that glow again, only this time it’s a cool glow from the cobblestone street below. I can almost hear the sounds of Havana. Find out more about my trip to Cuba here.

Street scene in Havana, Cuba

Kutná Hora Alley

This one is a little more subtle than the others. At first glance it’s just an nice photo of an alley. But the open arches and speckles of sunlight lead the eye directly to the back of the alley, where two people stand deep in conversation. I love small details like that. More images from Czechia can be found here.

An alley in Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic.

I hope you like these as much as I do! Prints of all images are available here or click on the individual images and it will go directly to the shop page.

I’d love to hear your feedback and comments. Also, feel free to share a link to your own favorites!

Some more map art. This time it includes photos of Finca Vigía, Hemingway’s home in San Francisco de Paula, Cuba and quotes from some of the books he wrote there. Finca Vigía means Lookout Farm and it does have a beautiful view.

“The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for” – For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway.
“You never understand anyone that loves you” – Islands in the Stream, Ernest Hemingway.

After working several of my photos from Cuba, I decided to try something different. I wanted to emphasize the idea of travel and adventure that drives me. I have always loved the beauty of maps and so decided to integrate my love of photography and my love of maps.

I recently traveled to the beautiful island of Cuba. The visit was amazing, the people were wonderful, and the rum a little too drinkable. Here are some pics from the trip. Cuba was indeed a photographer’s dream. From the newly painted colorful buildings of Trinidad, to the old world architecture of Havana, it had a little bit of everything. The architecture of Cuba is a mix of Spanish and English Colonialism, as there were held by both for many years. Currently, Cuba is a country in flux. They are rebuilding and renovating. Most of the Cubans we met were very optimistic about their future. I had a wonderful time and look forward to returning some day.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these photos, please click here.